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Gatwick 2nd Runway and Aircraft Noise

As Chair of the action group of local representatives and civil society against the expansion of Gatwick Airport, the Gatwick Coordination Group, formed in 2014, Crispin led the opposition to plans for a second runway at Gatwick.

Crispin welcomed the decision made by the Government in October 2016 to implement the recommendation of the independent Airports Commission for a new runway at Heathrow, which is best able to serve as a national and international aviation hub and is well-served by transport links and a local labour force. A new runway at Gatwick, on the other hand, would have overwhelmed the already overburdened transport infrastructure, would have required thousands of workers to move into the region, putting further strain on local infrastructure and housing, and would yield far less economic gain for the country as a whole. The Gatwick Coordination Group set out its objections to the Gatwick proposal in its response to the Airports Commission’s consultation in January 2015.

The Gatwick Coordination Group will continue to monitor the implementation of the Government’s decision and oppose any moves to resurrect the second runway plans. Crispin hopes that Gatwick Airport can now focus on re-establishing good relations with its neighbours and supporting local business and rail infrastructure improvements.

Aircraft Noise in the constituency

Crispin is also concerned about the noise-pollution being created by departing aircraft over the constituency, mostly by aircraft departing on Gatwick take-off Routes 3 (easterly) and Route 4 (westerly).

Hre has been personally involved with the Civil Aircraft Authority (CAA), Gatwick Airport Limited (GAL) and The Department for Transport (DfT) over recent decisions to change Route 4 and the subsequent problem of intensive and incessant aircraft noise over the south of the constituency, causing an unacceptable nuisance to local residents.

Crispin continues to work to find a solution based on Fair and Equitable Distribution (FED) of departing aircraft and dispersal rather than concentration of departure routes so that all residents can benefit from some periods of respite from aircraft noise.